Scoreboard



Patented Dec. 29, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

This invention relates to a score board for displaying progress of an athletic contest, being particularly directed to a board for the display of the score in games such as basket ball, foot ball, or the like. It further relates to a device of this kind, which is provided with a space for advertising matter, which may be prominently displayed on the board.

The objects of the invention, are to provide a board and shiftable numbers in connection therewith, which numbers are definitely secured to the board, so that their loss is precluded, yet are available for properly displaying the score, and which when displayed, will remain in position without undue chance of accidental displacement.

The means by which the foregoing and other objects are accomplished and the manner of their accomplishment will readily be understood from the following description, on reference to the accompanying drawing, in which,

Fig. 1 is a front elevation or face view of a board particularly designed for the display of the score in a basket ball game.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged section on the line 11-11 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a similarly enlarged face view of the bracket shown in Fig. 2; and

Fig. 4 an inverted plan view of the same bracket.

Referring now to the drawing in which the various parts are indicated by numerals, I is a board which may have a suitable surrounding edge strip II and be provided with screw eyes l2 or the like, by which it may be secured and supported from a support not here shown. Preferably a considerable portion of the board such as the rectangular space l3 outlined in the upper half thereof, is reserved for advertising space, in which space such advertising matter as may appear desirable or profitable, may be inserted. Displayed on the board are suitable indicia such as the words Home team and Visitors, these names being displayed on the opposite side halves of the board. Below the words Home team, are books of numbers l4, I5 and below the word Visitors similar books l6, H, the two books l4, l5 cooperating to form one score, while the two hooks l6, l1 cooperate to form the other score.

At some suitable point on the board, preferably along the vertical center line is a dial l8 which is divided to indicate the time of play. In the present instance, the dial I 8 shown is for a basket ball game in which the time of quarters is 8 minutes, and in which the dial has been divided into 8 divisions, and these numbered from 1 to 8 inclusive. [9 is a pointer, which is manually shifted to indicate the lapsed time or time left to play as may be desired. Below the numbers indicating the score, is an additional book of numbers 20, which may be turned to indicate the period of the game, in the present instance the quarter of the game being played.

Each of the books of numbers consists of a bracket 2| having a substantially vertical stem. 22, an upper attaching flange 23, and a lower attaching flange 24, the upper flange lying substantially flat against the board In, whereas the lower flange Z4 is arched outwardly between its attaching ends so that the stem 22 of the bracket is outwardly inclined from top to bottom. Secured to the two bracket flanges are U shaped loops 25, 26, on which the number plates 21 are held, these plates having holes adjacent one of their side edges preferably spaced tb receive the loops. Ten of these plates are used, in each hook, these plates being blank on one side and numbered from 0 to 9 on their other sides. When the board is erected in vertical position the bottom edges of the number plates are further from the board than the tops thereof, so that the plates when turned in either direction against the board, hold their positions.

The two books of numbers under the name Home team are closely associated to form a bank of numbers, and those under the word Visitors are similarly associated. The numbers on the plates are on opposite faces thereof in the two backs of each book, the numbers appearing on the right hand plates of the left book, the opposite or left hand plates being blank, and oppositely, the numbers appearing on the left hand plates of the right book, with the related right sides blank. Any score from 0 to 9 may therefore be shown on one book of the bank and larger numbers by cooperation of the two books of a bank.

In use, the right hand book l5 and right hand book I! of the two banks are used until the score in either instance reaches 9 after which the plates as of the books l4, l5 are turned to show units on book I5 and tens on book I4. When turned, each plate because of its positioning with regard to the vertical, maintains its position until manually again shifted. Showing of scores up to 99 for each team is possible. Pointer I9 is shifted as time is used up during the quarter, and as each quarter ends the plates of the 2. In combination, a substantially vertically disposed score board, a hinge member secured thereto, said hinge member having an upper and a lower plate-supporting loop, the lower of said loops being held by said member further from said board than said upper loop, and a plurality of plates bearing score numbers thereon, each of said plates having holes therein adjacent one edge, disposed on and hingedly supported by said loops.

FRANK SUMMERS. 

